Chris Murray's weekly Mountain West basketball rankings

Here is a look at this week's Mountain West basketball rankings, with each team's record, its schedule this week and a short comment on each team.

1. New Mexico (previously 1)

Record: 22-4, 9-2

This week: at Colorado State

Comment: A win at Colorado State, which has a 27-game home win streak, would essentially clinch at least a share of the MWC title for New Mexico, which has a soft end-of-the-season schedule.

2. Colorado State (2)

Record: 21-4, 8-2

This week: at UNLV; vs. New Mexico

Comment: This is a huge week for the Rams, who draw UNLV and New Mexico. Win those games and Colorado State could be looking at a MWC title and a top-three seed in the NCAA Tournament.

3. UNLV (3)

Record: 19-7, 6-5

This week: vs. Colorado State; at Wyoming

Comment: Good thing the MWC Tournament is at the Thomas & Mack Center because the Rebels would have no shot anywhere else. UNLV is 14-1 at home and 4-6 on the road, including a 1-5 mark in road league games.

4. Air Force (6)

Record: 15-9, 6-5

This week: at Boise State

Comment: Air Force senior Michael Lyons hung 45 points on Colorado State and 27 points on UNLV last week. I want to see that Lyons. He totaled just 13 points in two games against Nevada this year.

5. San Diego State (4)

Record: 18-7, 6-5

This week: vs. Wyoming; vs. Nevada

Comment: I’m sure San Diego State is still firmly in the NCAA Tournament, but the Aztecs are just 5-7 against top-100 RPI teams. Two or three bad losses late could push SDSU onto the bubble.

6. Boise State (5)

Record: 16-8, 4-6

This week: vs. Air Force; at Fresno State

Comment: The tilt against Air Force is huge for both teams’ NCAA Tournament hopes. It’s basically a lose-and-you’re-not-making-the-tournament game as both teams fight for a potential fifth MWC entry into the Big Dance.

7. Wyoming (7)

Record: 18-7, 4-7

This week: at San Diego State; vs. UNLV

Comment: After traveling to Laramie last week, I can see why it’s difficult to play at 7,220 feet. I was a little dizzy just trying to write my game story.

8. Nevada (8)

Record: 12-12, 3-7

This week: vs. Fresno State; at San Diego State

Comment: David Carter was pretty frank in his monthly talk with boosters on Monday in regard to the need to improve the quality of players he’s bringing to town after the move to the more difficult MWC.

9. Fresno State (9)

Record: 8-16, 2-9

This week: at Nevada; vs. Boise State

Comment: Rodney Terry was reprimanded by the MWC for his comments on the officiating after an overtime loss at Wyoming. Fresno State was called for 24 fouls to Wyoming’s 10. Terry’s response: “They shoot 33 free throws. We get murdered going to the basket. It’s ridiculous.”